About Pensions

The State Pension

The State Pension is a regular income paid by the UK Government to people who have reached State Pension age. In this section we explain various aspects of the State Pension and how NI contributions work - and we introduce the changes that are happening. Below are the links that you might find useful when thinking about your State Pension.

The State Pension is intended to ensure that everyone has a basic amount of money to support them in their old age. State Pensions are funded from National Insurance (NI) contributions. You will receive a State Pension in your own right ( i.e. regardless of whether you’re married or not) and what you'll receive doesn’t depend on how much you have earned, but on your own NI record. To get the full basic State Pension, currently, you need to have 30 years’ worth of NI contributions or credits.

More than a free bus pass...

Regardless of your other pension arrangements, you should receive a State Pension when you reach state retirement age. Here's how the system works today - and how it's changing